1776 Pointe-à-Pitre hurricane
Encyclopedia
The 1776 Pointe-à-Pitre hurricane was at one point the deadliest Atlantic hurricane
on record. Although its intensity and complete track is unknown, it is known that the storm struck Guadeloupe
on September 6, 1776 near Pointe-à-Pitre
, which is currently the largest city on the island. An analysis by hurricane scholar Michael Chenoweth indicated the tropical cyclone
was of at least hurricane strength, or with maximum sustained wind
s of at least 74 mph (119 km/h). The same analysis indicated the storm also affected Antigua
and Martinique
early in its duration, and later it struck Louisiana
on September 12.
At least 6,000 fatalities occurred on Guadeloupe, which was a higher death toll than any known hurricane before it. The storm struck a large convoy of French and Dutch merchant ships, sinking or running aground 60% of the vessels. The ships were transporting goods to Europe. A hurricane four years later
significantly surpassed the death toll of the 1776 storm with a total of 22,000 fatalities. The 1776 hurricane is currently the seventh deadliest Atlantic hurricane. Subsequent impact is unknown, although a Louisiana tropical cyclone climatology lists only one hurricane affecting the state in 1776; it was listed as striking New Orleans and causing "some damage".
Atlantic hurricane
North Atlantic tropical cyclones usually form in the northern hemisphere summer or fall. Tropical cyclones can be categorized by intensity. Tropical storms have one-minute maximum sustained winds of at least 39 mph , while hurricanes have one-minute maximum sustained exceeding 74 mph...
on record. Although its intensity and complete track is unknown, it is known that the storm struck Guadeloupe
Guadeloupe
Guadeloupe is an archipelago located in the Leeward Islands, in the Lesser Antilles, with a land area of 1,628 square kilometres and a population of 400,000. It is the first overseas region of France, consisting of a single overseas department. As with the other overseas departments, Guadeloupe...
on September 6, 1776 near Pointe-à-Pitre
Pointe-à-Pitre
Pointe-à-Pitre is the largest city of Guadeloupe, an overseas région and département of France located in the Lesser Antilles, of which it is a sous-préfecture, being the seat of the Arrondissement of Pointe-à-Pitre....
, which is currently the largest city on the island. An analysis by hurricane scholar Michael Chenoweth indicated the tropical cyclone
Tropical cyclone
A tropical cyclone is a storm system characterized by a large low-pressure center and numerous thunderstorms that produce strong winds and heavy rain. Tropical cyclones strengthen when water evaporated from the ocean is released as the saturated air rises, resulting in condensation of water vapor...
was of at least hurricane strength, or with maximum sustained wind
Maximum sustained wind
The maximum sustained winds associated with a tropical cyclone are a common indicator of the intensity of the storm. Within a mature tropical cyclone, they are found within the eyewall at a distance defined as the radius of maximum wind, or RMW. Unlike gusts, the value of these winds are...
s of at least 74 mph (119 km/h). The same analysis indicated the storm also affected Antigua
Antigua
Antigua , also known as Waladli, is an island in the West Indies, in the Leeward Islands in the Caribbean region, the main island of the country of Antigua and Barbuda. Antigua means "ancient" in Spanish and was named by Christopher Columbus after an icon in Seville Cathedral, Santa Maria de la...
and Martinique
Martinique
Martinique is an island in the eastern Caribbean Sea, with a land area of . Like Guadeloupe, it is an overseas region of France, consisting of a single overseas department. To the northwest lies Dominica, to the south St Lucia, and to the southeast Barbados...
early in its duration, and later it struck Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
on September 12.
At least 6,000 fatalities occurred on Guadeloupe, which was a higher death toll than any known hurricane before it. The storm struck a large convoy of French and Dutch merchant ships, sinking or running aground 60% of the vessels. The ships were transporting goods to Europe. A hurricane four years later
Great Hurricane of 1780
The Great Hurricane of 1780, also known as Hurricane San Calixto, the Great Hurricane of the Antilles, and the 1780 Disaster, is the deadliest Atlantic hurricane on record. Over 20,000 people died when the storm passed through the Lesser Antilles in the Caribbean between October 10 and October...
significantly surpassed the death toll of the 1776 storm with a total of 22,000 fatalities. The 1776 hurricane is currently the seventh deadliest Atlantic hurricane. Subsequent impact is unknown, although a Louisiana tropical cyclone climatology lists only one hurricane affecting the state in 1776; it was listed as striking New Orleans and causing "some damage".
See also
- List of deadliest Atlantic hurricanes
- History of GuadeloupeHistory of Guadeloupe- Pre-Columbian and Colonial Settlement :The earliest settlers on Guadeloupe arrived around 300 BC and developed agriculture on the island. They were removed by the more warlike Caribs. It was the Caribs who called the island "Karukera," which is roughly translated as "island with beautiful...